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Kingsburg adopts objective design standards for streamlined affordable multifamily projects
Summary
The City Council adopted objective design standards intended to give Kingsburg measurable rules for multifamily affordable housing projects seeking streamlined approval under SB 35 and related state laws; council found the action exempt from CEQA and adopted Resolution 2026‑027.
Community Development Director Holly Owen told the Kingsburg City Council on July 15 that the city is asking the council to adopt objective design standards for multifamily affordable housing projects seeking streamlined, by‑right approval under state laws such as SB 35, SB 423, AB 2011 and SB 6.
"These objective standards are measurable, quantifiable and do not involve personal judgment," Owen said, explaining the difference between objective standards and subjective design guidelines and noting the planning commission recommended adoption following review and findings.
Owen said the standards were drafted with assistance from Fresno Council of Governments' planning program and were vetted by the planning commission, which adopted them at its May 14 meeting. The council considered staff's recommendation that the adoption be found exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under the common‑sense exception and that the city adopt Resolution 2026‑027 to implement the standards.
Council members praised staff work. One council member thanked Owen for the draft and noted the standards will preserve local design control when a developer seeks the streamlined process. Following a motion and second, councilmembers voted by voice to adopt the CEQA determination and pass Resolution 2026‑027; the record shows a roll call was not read into the transcript and the action was approved by a voice vote.
The council’s action creates a set of objective criteria that staff said will apply only to affordable multifamily projects that meet the statutory requirements for streamlined review. City staff told the council that market‑rate multifamily projects would continue to be reviewed under existing design standards.
